Walking through a city or township's downtown will give you a snapshot of what it's like to live there.

In Princeton, students and professors huddle in coffee shops while completing their studies. In Clinton Township, families enjoy shopping, restaurants, and exploring the historical district. Compare that to New Brunswick's downtown, which mirrors the hustle and bustle of a large city.

Central Jersey's downtown spots are as varied as the region itself, with a number of downtown areas having historical roots that date back to the Revolutionary War.

As we recently announced, we are looking to find the best downtown in New Jersey. What areas are eligible? We've kept the definition broad -- downtowns are fun sections of town where people like to spend time. And they offer something special that keeps people coming back.

For the Central Jersey region, you have a chance to vote for the best downtown areas in Middlesex, Mercer, Somerset, and Hunterdon counties. Now is your chance for your voice to be heard. Below this section is a poll with the list of downtown areas in the four-county area comprised by reader nominations, emails, and Facebook post mentions. The voting will remain open until Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 9 a.m.

The winners will move on the Top Ten then to the Final Five, and finally the designation of the being the best downtown in New Jersey.

This is the perfect chance for you to cheer for your favorite downtown, or even earn some bragging rights for your hometown. Good luck to all of the downtowns and get voting!